FULTON – The CNY Arts Center will host a drumming workshop in collaboration with the Society for New Music on March 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. The workshop is open to everyone, and the center recommends people to bring any hand percussion instruments that they own.

Diane Jones, the main presenter of the event, is a composer, as well as a percussionist for the SU Brazilian Ensemble Samba Laranja. She also hosted a show on WCNY-FM, Central New York’s Classic Radio Station, and has performed with Mélomanie, The Relâche Ensemble, The Da Capo Chamber Players and Flautet.

“We are honored to host Diane Jones and to have had Cheryl Wilkins-Mitchell share this wonderful opportunity with us,” said executive director Nancy Fox. “We hope everyone will seize the chance for an afternoon of drumming fun!”

The event is being held in the CNY Arts Center, located on 357 State Street. The workshop will cost a modest fee, and pre-registration is encouraged.

For additional information, please visit www.CNYArtsCenter.com or call 315-592-3373.

A Baldwinsville teenager charged with second-degree murder claims the victim ran into a kitchen knife he was holding in his hand.

Anthony J. Miller, a 46-year-old Granby man, was killed on Super Bowl Sunday when four teenagers attempted to rob his mobile home.

Michael Celi, 17, of 9 McHarrie St, along with Glenwood E. Carr, 16, of 610 Lamson Road; and Zachary M. Scott, 19, of 7645 Van Buren Road are charged with burglary and murder.

According to court documents, Celi told state police in an interview Sunday that, “After the Super Bowl on Feb. 2, using their mother’s white car, Celi’s brother took him, Zach Scott and Carr to Miller’s house. When Celi and Carr entered the home, Miller attacked Carr, punching and hitting him. Celi was armed with a kitchen knife he had brought from home.

State troopers say, “Mr. Celi stated Miller ran into the knife while he had it in his hand,”

The knife penetrated Miller’s chest or stomach causing him to fall on his back. Celi told troopers that Miller pulled the knife out of him and Celi punched Miller in the face.

Carr took a glass bong from Miller’s house, Celi told troopers.

Miller was killed. He was found Feb. 3 in his mobile home by friends.

As of 9:30 this morning SUNY Oswego has cancelled all afternoon classes due to inclement weather.  This entails all classes that begin at or after noon anywhere on the SUNY Oswego campus.

Heavy snowfall and blowing snow combined with frigid temperatures have prompted the school to take this action. Safety is the main concern for students and faculty as they head from building to building for class, as well as for those faculty and students who commute to the campus.

Visibility is limited and walkways are barely identifiable all across campus and Oswego as a whole.  Campus officials are making efforts to clear the snow as quickly as possible, but with some reservation, as to protect themselves and students in the low visibility conditions.

The National Weather Service is calling for a 100% chance for Lake Effect Snow all across Oswego and has issued warnings out all across Central New York.  The snow is expected to continue into tonight with a slight tapering off in the later evening.  Accumulation is expected to reach 3-5 inches, and temperatures are ranging from, 5-10 degrees.  With winds out of the Southwest at 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 30 mph the temperature feels more like a frigid -3 degrees.

Take a look at what walking around campus is really like with this short clip.

Walk Around SUNY Oswego

Congressman Richard Hanna has received unanimous support from the Oswego County Republican Committee from Congressional District NY-22 on Thursday night.  Hanna has served as a member of Congress since 2011, and represents the eastern half of Oswego County.

Oswego County Republican Chairman Michael C. Backus expressed his support for the Congressman.   “Congressman Hanna has been an independent voice for Oswego County since he was redistricted into our area, and I am thankful that he is carrying on the legacy of John McHugh and many others who went to Washington to solve problems and fight for Oswego County,” he said.

But the spotlight wasn’t just on the Congressman.  At the meeting, Oswego County Sheriff Reuel Todd announced he would be seeking re-election this November.

“There are few individuals in elected office the quality of Sheriff Todd. He is a fighter for Oswego County and the beliefs we hold dear,” said Backus.

Sheriff Todd has served as Oswego County sheriff since 1999.

A man who forcibly raped a woman in the Village of Phoenix in July of 2005 has been convicted.  Joseph A. Stefanovich was sentenced to 20 years in state  prison by Oswego County Court Judge James Metcalf, for Rape in the First Degree.  Stefanovich will also receive five years’ post-release supervision.  The conviction pertains to an allegation that Stefanovich grabbed the victim from behind, put her in a chokehold, and dragged her into a wooded area where the offense was committed.

Stefanovich was linked to the case due to a DNA sample from a 2006 case.  The DNA was on profile due to a prior sexual offense conviction.

At trial, Stefanovich claimed that his DNA appeared in the rape kit because he had a consensual encounter with the victim on the day of the offense.  He told the jury that another person must have raped her later that same day.

The victim testified that she did not know Stefanovich and had never engaged in consensual intercourse with him.

District Attorney Gregory Oakes, the prosecutor of the case, stated that he wanted to commend the victim for having the “strength to come forward and the courage to testify at trial. Our community is now safe from this predator because of her bravery and fortitude. It was an honor to stand up and fight for her in court.”

Snow on snow on snow; Oswego County residents sure have seen and felt their fair share of it this year.  It delays plans, freezes bones, and even tells a story.

A Byrne Dairy in the town of Hastings was robbed by two 17 year olds, forceful enough to steal what they wanted, but not smart enough to cover their tracks. Literally.

Oswego County sheriff’s deputies tracked the culprits’ footprints through the snow back to 116 Roxbury Estates, a trailer park not too far from the held up Byrne Dairy.

Frank J. Burt and Jeremy L. Champney, both 17, have been charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery and fourth-degree conspiracy.

Robbery in the first degree is the taking of anything of value by the use of force or intimidation. Second-degree robbery is the taking of anything of value and the offender intentionally inflicts serious bodily injury. Champney was also charged with resisting arrest.

No reports on what exactly was stolen have been released, but deputies have returned the stolen property from the Byrne Dairy.

The Hansel and Gretel duo will be arraigned in town court within the coming weeks.

With the temperatures dropping and the levels of snow rising, battling the elements without a home to protect you is a nightmare to think about.

Sadly, this nightmare has become a harsh and cold reality for a man in Phoenix NY whose home was a flame on Monday evening.

The fire ensued in the 100 block of Huntley Road in the village of Phoenix, in Oswego County.

Volunteer firefighters from Phoenix, Baldwinsville, Caughdenoy, Cody, Liverpool, Moyers Corners and Volney responded to the call at 33 Elm Street and said the house was “fully involved,” in flames.

The Oswego County Cause and Origin Team also is at the scene.

Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.